Strand package



J. LECLABART STRAND PACKAGE May 15, 1962 Filed June 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1962 J. LECLABART 3,034,195

STRAND PACKAGE Filed June 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'ig 3,034,195 STRAND PAEKAGE Jean Leclabart, 53 Ave. Raymond Poincare, Paris, France Filed lune 29, 1959, ar. No. 82$,d42 Claims priority, application France Feb. 20, 1959 1 Claim. (Cl. 28-78) The invention concerns the production of a bundle of strands such as slivers made or" hair, horsehair, and in general of animal, vegetable, synthetic, metallic or other fibres.

Bundles of strands have hitherto been produced by tying the strands with a flexible or deformable binding means, a cotton or metal thread for example. Appreciable time was needed to produce each bundle, and the strands Werenot always satisfactorily held.

Tlie'invention makes it possible to produce, in a very short time, a bundle of strands which are satisfactorily held.

The invention relates first of all to a method of producing a bundle of strands in which a plurality of strands are located in a collar which is then subjected to pressure to flatten the collar and to fold the flattened collar to bring the ends of the flattened collar adjacent one another. 7

The invention also relates to a press for binding a bundle of strands the press comprising a bifurcated matrix whose arms will support a collar surrounding a bundle, and a punch movable toward and into the matrix to press the collar into a flattened and folded condition with the strands located therein.

The invention finally relates to bundles of strands bound by the process according to the invention.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to a non-limitative example.

Additional features of the invention will parent in the course of the description of this example.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustration of a collar which may be used to bind a bundle of strands;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the bundle of strands introduced into the collar;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the collar flattened into the form of a strip;

FIGURE 4 shows the strip after it has been folded in order to bring one of its ends towards the other;

FIGURE 5 shows an end view of the folded strip;

FIGURE 6 illustrates the strip once its ends have been brought close to one another by additional pressure;

FIGURE 7 diagrammatically illustrates a press capable of supplying the additional pressure;

FIGURE 8 is a cut away elevation of an appliance capable of folding the pressed-out strip, that is to say imparting to it the shape illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section along IX-IX in FIG- URE 8 of the matrix of the appliance.

In order to produce a bundle of strands, for example a bundle of hairs, a collar 1 consisting simply of a cylindrical metal ring is used. The bundle of strands 2 is introduced into the collar 1 until the latter occupies the desired position with respect to the bundle. The collar is then flattened by a press of any type, or even by a hammer blow, in order to form a strip such as that illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The formed strip 1 is then placed in an appliance which allows it to be bent and given the shape of a V or the like, that of a U for example. The purpose of this operation is to bring the ends 3 and 4 of the strip 1 close to one another. The shape assumed by the strip is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The bent strip 1 is then flattened, either by a hammer or by means of a press of any type whereof the tool 5 descends on the strip in order to cause the two branches of the V or U to bear against one another. This operbecome apation heavily compresses the strands 2, and during it the tool 5 may if desired be used as a matrix to impress relief or sunk characters on the folded strip in order to characterise the made-up bundle of strands.

It should be noted that flattening of the collar (FIG- URE 3) and folding in order to produce a V-chaped strip (FIGURES 4 and 5) are operations which may be carried out simultaneously by means of a shaped tool.

FIGURE 8 illustrates an appliance capable of folding the strip, but this appliance may also be simultaneously used for flattening the collar and folding it in order to impart the shape of a V to it.

The said appliance comprises a base 6 and a standard '7 which supports members for controlling the descent of a punch 21 of flattened shape. The press may be operated by a screw 9 in the customary fashion.

The base 6 is equipped with a matrix 10 comprising an upwardly flared slot 11. The bottom of the matrix is equipped with a stud 12 pushed upwards by a spring 13. An abutment 14 fast with the stud prevents the latter from emerging from the matrix. A spring 13 bears against a screw 15 engaging in the base of the recess 16 which receives the spring.

A plate 17 is preferably provided in order to facilitate positioning the bundle in course of formation on the matrix it This plate is illustrated in mixed line in FIGURE 8 in order not to interfere with an understanding of how the press is made. The plate 17 carries a stirrup 18, attached to the said plate by screws 19, and

0 comprising a cut-out Ztl through which the punch 8 can pass.

In addition, the plate comprises a large elongated cutout 21 which enables the strip 1 to take up a position on the matrix 16, and to descend thereinto in order to assume the shape of a V while the punch is working.

When the punch 8 descends, it forces its way between the ends of the strip 1, and drives the middle portion of the said strip inside the matrix. The ends of the strip then move close to one another. When this operation is finished, the punch 8 is raised again, and the folded strip is pushed out ofthe matrix by the stud 12 under the action of the spring 13.

It should be noted that if a collar 1 which has not yet been pressed out into a strip is placed on the matrix 10, the punch 8, as it descends, carries out both the crushing operation, and folding of the crushed collar.

The invention which has just been described has the advantage of making up bundles of bound strands very rapidly, giving a much more powerful grip, so that the strands are more satisfactorily fixed. It is virtually impossible for the strands to move with respect to one another during fixing, and the work is nearer.

The invention is naturally not limited by the details of use which have been described, and which may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

A flattened continuous collar surrounding and gripping a plurality of strands, a portion of said collar forming two flat contacting coextensive surfaces extending within the remainder of said collar.

References Cited. in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,946 

